“Whatever Scotland’s constitutional status in the future, it will always be in our interests for these islands to have the closest possible relationship with the EU.

“We have done everything possible to help avert the Brexit crisis for the whole UK. And we will continue to do so.”

She added: “The Westminster system of government does not serve Scotland’s interests.

“And the devolution settlement, in its current form, is now seen to be utterly inadequate to the task of protecting those interests.”

Wednesday’s statement was the “first available opportunity” for the First Minister to update MSPs since the EU granted a six-month extension to the Article 50 Brexit process.

A Number 10 spokesman said on Tuesday that Theresa May’s stance on the issue of a second Scottish referendum “has not changed” – with the PM having previously made clear her opposition to such a ballot.